Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 9:54 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 9:54 p.m.

James Prince wasn’t on the South Brunswick High School football field Thursday night, but stories about him filled the stadium.

His classmates and coaches recounted memory after memory. The time he told a friend about cutting his foot with an ax while he was chopping wood. Or at practice, where he told the coach he was a honey badger. Back when he was in middle school, how he said he was about to “dread up” and grow dreadlocks. Later, he had cut his hair. Where were the dreadlocks?

“Man, I got hot,” Prince had answered.

Thursday’s service came two days after Prince drowned while swimming near the Oak Island pier, and just two days before the 17-year-old would have graduated.

“Everyone here was touched by his life,” said South Brunswick High Principal Wayne Price, standing before a large audience.

John Walls, an English teacher, recalled covering transcendentalism when he taught Prince American literature.

“Coach, I think I’m a modern day transcendentalist,” Prince told Walls, who replied, “I think you are.”

After reading a poem about success, Walls added, “As a teacher and a coach and a friend, I truly believe that James succeeded in his life.”

Prince, who played on both the varsity basketball and football teams, was one of 215 seniors set to graduate Saturday.

Board of Education Chairman Charlie Miller quoted Matthew 5:4, blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Although Miller said the days will get harder, he encouraged the seniors to look forward to their graduations. “I do believe that he would have wanted you to celebrate,” he said.

Coach Josh Rusk said Prince did everything they asked of him on the football field. “I think of what I need in a player – James Prince was it,” he said.

Scott Wainwright, who coached Prince in basketball and assisted on the football team, recalled his personality, from his stubbornness to his style (he made pink look so good Wainwright joked he started shopping for it).

He was loyal.

“He would do anything for people close to him,” Wainwright said. “If you needed him, he was there.”

And there was his humor, which could explain why Wainwright said everyone has at least one James Prince story.

“Death ends a life, but death does not end a relationship,” Wainwright said.

After hearing the 23rd Psalm read aloud, students gathered together on the football field. Keon Harrison performed a tribute to Prince by singing the “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Prince had heard him sing it before, Harrison said, adding that Prince asked him to sing the song for him if God took him first.

In honor of each year of his life, 17 balloons were released from the football field. The balloons swiftly rose into the air and passed out of view into the sky, leaving all his classmates standing behind on the field.

Prince’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at South Brunswick High School. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Big Macedonia Church in Supply.

<p>James Prince wasn't on the South Brunswick High School football field Thursday night, but stories about him filled the stadium.</p><p>His classmates and coaches recounted memory after memory. The time he told a friend about cutting his foot with an ax while he was chopping wood. Or at practice, where he told the coach he was a honey badger. Back when he was in middle school, how he said he was about to “dread up” and grow dreadlocks. Later, he had cut his hair. Where were the dreadlocks?</p><p>“Man, I got hot,” Prince had answered.</p><p>Thursday's service came two days after Prince drowned while swimming near the Oak Island pier, and just two days before the 17-year-old would have graduated.</p><p>“Everyone here was touched by his life,” said South Brunswick High Principal Wayne Price, standing before a large audience.</p><p>John Walls, an English teacher, recalled covering transcendentalism when he taught Prince American literature. </p><p>“Coach, I think I'm a modern day transcendentalist,” Prince told Walls, who replied, “I think you are.”</p><p>After reading a poem about success, Walls added, “As a teacher and a coach and a friend, I truly believe that James succeeded in his life.”</p><p>Prince, who played on both the varsity basketball and football teams, was one of 215 seniors set to graduate Saturday. </p><p>Board of Education Chairman Charlie Miller quoted Matthew 5:4, blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Although Miller said the days will get harder, he encouraged the seniors to look forward to their graduations. “I do believe that he would have wanted you to celebrate,” he said.</p><p>Coach Josh Rusk said Prince did everything they asked of him on the football field. “I think of what I need in a player – James Prince was it,” he said.</p><p>Scott Wainwright, who coached Prince in basketball and assisted on the football team, recalled his personality, from his stubbornness to his style (he made pink look so good Wainwright joked he started shopping for it).</p><p>He was loyal. </p><p>“He would do anything for people close to him,” Wainwright said. “If you needed him, he was there.” </p><p>And there was his humor, which could explain why Wainwright said everyone has at least one James Prince story. </p><p>“Death ends a life, but death does not end a relationship,” Wainwright said.</p><p>After hearing the 23rd Psalm read aloud, students gathered together on the football field. Keon Harrison performed a tribute to Prince by singing the “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Prince had heard him sing it before, Harrison said, adding that Prince asked him to sing the song for him if God took him first. </p><p>In honor of each year of his life, 17 balloons were released from the football field. The balloons swiftly rose into the air and passed out of view into the sky, leaving all his classmates standing behind on the field.</p><p>Prince's funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at South Brunswick High School. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Big Macedonia Church in Supply.</p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</p>